Celtics players, including Kevin Garnett, right, and Rajon Rondo, second from left, are separated from Nets players after an altercation Wednesday. / Mark L. Baer, US Presswire

by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics point guard went right at Brooklyn Nets forward Kris Humphries after a foul on Kevin Garnett with 29 seconds left in the first half of Wednesday night's game. Rondo, Humphries and interloping Nets forward Gerald Wallace were ejected.

Rondo had 37 consecutive games with at least 10 assists, tied with John Stockton for the second-longest streak in NBA history. The streak ends as he only had two assists in 18 minutes before his ejection.

The Nets won 95-83, with the Celtics totaling 14 assists, one more than Rondo averages himself.

The foul by 6-9, 235-pound Humphries was obvious, as he hit 6-11, 253-pound Garnett's face during a shot attempt. But 6-1, 186-pound Rondo took umbrage and went after the significantly larger man.

Garnett appreciated the backing.

"We all back each other," Garnett said. "We take a lot of pride in putting on this jersey. I know I do. This ain't the Girl Scouts or the Boy Scouts. That's what it is. It's the NBA. You've got to get used to it."

Celtics color commentator and Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn agreed during the game, saying, "I'll tell ya, I want Rondo on my side. You hit my partner in the mouth while he's shooting the ball, you gotta deal with me."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers was less impressed, saying his team should be tough but not violent.

"All that stuff, that's not toughness," Rivers told reporters, calling his team soft. "That foul was a hard foul. It was an unnecessary foul. The play was over and then he pushed him down in the air. But I think that's what they think of us: They think they can push you around."

Wallace jumped into the fray to earn himself a technical alongside Garnett and Humphries. Jason Terry made the Celtics' free thow caused by the 2-to-1 ratio of technicals, then Garnett made both of his free throws from the inital foul to allow the Celtics to close the half trailing 51-38.

Humphries posted a photo on Twitter of a cut on his shoulder, adding, "Does anyone know where I can get a quick Tetanus shot in Boston?"

Rondo is known for a bad temper. He was suspended for a playoff game last season against the Atlanta Hawks for chest-bumping a referee. And Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said he made "a punk play" with a foul in the teams' season opener.

"Usually he goes after the refs," Rivers said. "This was another guy, so this was better."